Tensions persist in South Lebanon as the exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel continues unabated.
At around 3 AM on Wednesday, October 18, a Hezbollah group targeted an Israeli Merkava tank in the al-Rahab region, killing and wounding several people, according to a statement issued by the group.
Israeli airstrikes intensified on several towns in southern Lebanon from 8 AM, accompanied by overflights of border areas. The Israeli army bombarded the towns of Alma al-Shaab, Maroun al-Ras and Dhayra with phosphorus shells, starting fires and damaging houses.
Since Wednesday morning, Israeli warplanes and reconnaissance aircraft have been flying over border villages in the regions of Marjayoun, Hasbaya and Arqoub.
Bombing has also struck the main road between Kfar Kila and Adaisseh, the Markaba hills, the outskirts of Al-Bustan and Aita al-Shaab, as well as Hamamess hill and the Khiam plain.
In addition, the Israeli army reiterated its call for the residents of Matla and other settlements in the northern Galilee to leave immediately or take refuge in shelters, for fear of infiltration by Hezbollah fighters, who have succeeded in destroying Israeli surveillance devices along the border fence between Al-Abad hill and Al-Matla.
At the same time, the Lebanese army, in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL), raised its alert level along the border.
On Tuesday evening, Israeli aircraft fired two missiles toward the outskirts of the town of Rmeish in the direction of Bayt Lif.
Hezbollah also announced the death of five of its members, bringing the total number of fatalities within its ranks to 10 since the beginning of the border escalation. According to the Al Markaziya News Agency, the Hezbollah members who died on Tuesday were killed in an Israeli bombardment on the town of Maroun al-Ras in the Bint Jbeil caza.
